Page 79 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

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REGULATORY NEWS

DITRDC Consults on Draft Standards, Rules and Benchmarks for SIPs

Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, a network providing superfast broadband keeping; peak speeds; network remediation
Transport, Regional Development and services. It also reiterated that where plans; transparency requirements for
Communications (DITRDC) has begun SIPs operate fixed line and fixed-wireless any rebates payable; and associated
consulting on draft standards, rules and networks, they must also support voice record-keeping. It said that these draft
benchmarks related to the country’s services. According to DITRDC, there standards, rules and benchmarks draw on
statutory infrastructure provider (SIP) are now 19 SIPs on the register of the arrangements currently used by NBN Co as
regime, which came into effect on 1 July Australian Communications and Media the default SIP for all of Australia, as well as
2020. In a press release regarding the Authority (ACMA). To further define the historical Customer Service Guarantee
matter, the regulator noted that with the the level of service that SIPs provide, (CSG). Submissions to the consultation
introduction of the SIP regime there is DITRDC is now consulting on a number of have been requested by a deadline of 1
now a legal framework ensuring premises elements, including: maximum timeframes March 2021.
across the country can be connected to for connection, repairs, and appointment

CMA Publishes 'Issues Statement' As Part of Examination of Proposed O2

UK-Virgin Media Merger

Following the request from O2 UK and tie-up. The statement sets out the scope inked an agreement to merge their British
Virgin Media that their proposed merger be of the watchdog’s inquiry, outlining initial subsidiaries to form a 50:50 joint venture
fast-tracked to an in-depth investigation theories on what might adversely affect (JV). At that time, it was claimed that the
by the Competition and Markets Authority competition, but it does not set out findings combination of the two service providers
(CMA), the latter body has now published or conclusions. Specifically, the CMA has will create a nationwide integrated
an ‘issues statement’ in which it details its called attention to two areas, namely the communications provider with annual
provisional main concerns related to the wholesale MVNO sector and the wholesale revenue of around GBP11 billion (USD15
leased line market, saying it has identified billion) and more than 46 million pay-TV,
‘primary potential theories of harm’ in fixed broadband and mobile subscribers.
relation to the operators’ activities in these Further, the companies suggested that
sectors. A deadline of 4 February 2021 has the JV initiative will deliver ‘substantial’
been set for submissions on the CMA’s synergies, valued at GBP6.2 billion on a net
issues statement. As previously reported present value basis after integration costs,
by CommsUpdate, in May 2020 Spain- and equivalent to cost, CAPEX and revenue
based Telefonica, parent company of O2 benefits of GBP540 million on an annual
UK, and Virgin Media parent Liberty Global basis by the fifth full year post-closing.

Starlink Secures Licensing Approval for Terminals From OFCOM

Starlink, the broadband satellite internet granted back in November 2020, according Looking towards the launch of commercial
service of SpaceX, has received licensing to an OFCOM spokesperson cited by the services, British consumers are expected
approval for its user terminals from British report. Meanwhile, Light Reading notes to be charged GBP439 (USD593) for the
telecommunications regulator OFCOM, that Starlink’s satellite-based broadband equipment needed to connect to Starlink’s
Bloomberg reports. With the development connectivity is expected to be tested by service when it launches, while the ongoing
paving the way for Starlink to enter the UK a small group of trial users in the near monthly charge will be GBP84 for a
broadband sector, it was noted that the future, with invitations understood to broadband plan offering average downlink
regulatory authorization had actually been have been sent out earlier this month. speed of between 100Mbps and 150Mbps.

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